Travel industry spent $317,500 on lobbying

The Travel Industry Association of America, whose members include airlines, hotels and tourism agencies, spent $317,500 in the first quarter to lobby the federal government

The group lobbied on U.S. visa issues, the nation's entry-exit system for international visitors, travel promotion and other matters, according to the amended report filed April 22 with the House clerk's office.

Members of the group, which represents the interests of the $740 billion U.S. travel industry, include Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., travel Web site operator Expedia Inc. and cruise ship operator Carnival Corp.

Alma Rojas, a former staff member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, was among those lobbying on the association's behalf in the first three months of the year.